This summer, come see the work of award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Rafael López. Curated by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, this exhibit features more than fifty of López’s illustrations including The Day You Began / El díaen que descubres quién eres, Maybe Something Beautiful / Quizás algo hermoso, Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, and We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands / Tenemos elmundo entero en las manos. Along with his storybook images, view the community mural, Cultivating Dreams: A Collective Canvas.

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Rafael López is a celebrated Mexican American illustrator and artist, known for his vibrant, evocative work that blends traditional Mexican art with contemporary elements. López’s illustrations often highlight cultural diversity, social justice, and community, which have earned him numerous awards.

At an early age, López was encouraged to explore the arts, taking classes in pottery, painting, drawing, puppetry, photography, and music. His parents even allowed him to draw on the walls when he ran out of paper! At age 11, he created his first children’s book journaling his life in illustrations.  

As a founder of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, López creates large-scale murals that help to unite the local community. He feels community murals are important not only a way to beautify a space, but also to celebrate a neighborhood and create community belonging.

Along with viewing Rafael’s award-winning illustrations and community art mural, the exhibit also features hardcover editions along the wall of many of his well-loved books for families to read and share together.